By: Alexander Burns | June 22, 2017

Breast cancer remains an extraordinarily pervasive problem across America. In 2017, the U.S. Breast Cancer Organization expects that 20,610 women will be killed by breast cancer. Successful advertising and information dissemination has helped everyday American women become more informed of the dangers of breast cancer and the importance of early detection.

Unfortunately, Eduvigis Rodriguez, a 51-year-old woman from Harlem, New York, has been left traumatized after her doctor falsely diagnosed her with breast cancer, with devastating consequences. After years of being repeatedly told about the dangers of breast cancer, when Ms. Rodriguez found a suspicious lump in her left breast, she quickly booked an appointment at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital.

When Ms. Rodriguez arrived at the hospital, she was referred to a pathologist named Dr. Jean Marc-Cohen. After an examination and biopsy, the doctor incorrectly diagnosed her with ‘infiltrating ductal carcinoma’, one of the most aggressive forms of breast cancer. Dr. Marc-Cohen scheduled another biopsy at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital, informing Ms. Rodriguez that she would have to travel to Lenox Hill Hospital to have a mastectomy on her left breast.

Regulations at Lenox Hill Hospital specify that inter-hospital biopsy results should be double checked by a doctor at Lenox Hill Hospital. However, the surgeon assigned to perform Ms. Rodriguez’s operation, Dr. Magdi Bebawi, showed immense negligence by skipping this important check.

To cover himself, Dr. Bebawi signed pathology documentation, verifying that Lenox Hill staff had verified Dr. Marc-Cohen’s biopsy results. The mastectomy operation went on without a hitch and Lenox Hill pathologists were able to review Ms. Rodriguez’s breast tissue.

However, in a horrifying turn of events, pathologists were forced to contact Dr. Bebawi and inform him that Ms. Rodriguez’s breast tissue was non-cancerous. Dr. Bebawi was horrified and realized that performing a mastectomy had been a colossal mistake as the suspicious lump of tissue was revealed to be “benign breast tissue.”

After she was informed, Ms. Rodriguez was understandably furious, telling the New York Post that: “I didn’t know whether to smile and thank God I didn’t have cancer or cry because I’ve been through so much.” In an attempt to restore her body shape, Ms. Rodriguez paid for reconstructive breast surgery. However, a range of complications stretched out the procedure, leading to blood clots and a surgical hernia.

Andrew Carboy, an attorney representing Ms. Rodriguez, has filed lawsuits against both Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospital, citing the negligence of staffers and Dr. Bebawi, for not following hospital procedure and conducting an unnecessary operation, saying: “A second review of the biopsy tissue at Lenox Hill, in advance of any surgery, would have resulted in the cancellation of the mastectomy.”

Mr. Carboy is pursuing a medical malpractice lawsuit against Dr. Bebawi. In his deposition, Dr. Bebawi emphasized his regret, saying: “After the surgery, when I was told that the review of the biopsy showed no cancer, I immediately called her and made her aware that I am very sorry and I feel very bad that we did this procedure for no cancer…I did the surgery based on the pathology report which I received.”

While Dr. Bebawi has taken medical leave, Dr. Marc-Cohen continues to work as a pathologist at Mount Sinai Beth Israel Hospital. Barbara Osborn, a spokesperson for Lenox Hill, released a statement about the incident, saying: “Ensuring quality patient care is Lenox Hill’s No. 1 concern. Due to concern for the privacy of our patient as well as the pending litigation, we are unable to comment at this time.”